Fur seal

Arctocephalinae

091130 rosita bay south georgia 2563 (4172615911)

Northfursealbull

Fur seal pups from St. Paul Island by USFWS

Seal Sunbathing

Fur seals are a group of pinniped species that belong to the family Otariidae, also known as eared seals. Unlike true seals of the family Phocidae, fur seals are characterized by their external ear flaps and their ability to walk on all fours due to the presence of visible external ears and the ability to rotate their rear flippers forward. This article provides an overview of fur seals, including their habitat, behavior, and conservation status.

Description

Fur seals are medium-sized marine mammals that possess a thick underfur, which was once a major target for commercial hunters. This underfur is protected by longer guard hairs. The males are significantly larger than the females and often have a mane of coarse hair around their necks. Fur seals vary in color from brown to gray, with some species having a silvery sheen.

Habitat and Distribution

Fur seals are found in various parts of the world, primarily in the southern hemisphere. They inhabit coastal waters and are commonly found on rocky shores, islands, and remote beaches where they come ashore to breed, give birth, and molt. Key habitats include the coasts of South America, Australia, New Zealand, and several islands in the southern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Behavior

Fur seals are highly social animals, forming large colonies during the breeding season. They are polygynous, with dominant males establishing territories and harems of females. Outside of the breeding season, fur seals lead a largely pelagic life, spending long periods at sea foraging for food. Their diet consists mainly of fish and squid.

Conservation

Many fur seal species were heavily exploited in the 18th and 19th centuries for their fur, leading to significant declines in their populations. Conservation efforts and international agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), have been implemented to protect fur seals from commercial hunting. While some species have recovered well and are now considered of 'Least Concern' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), others remain vulnerable or endangered.

Species

There are several species of fur seals, including:

• Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella)
• Northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus)
• Galápagos fur seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis)
• South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis)

See Also

• Pinniped
• Seal hunting
• Marine conservation